Union Public Records Directory

All links go directly to official Union, Missouri government websites.

Law Enforcement

Franklin County relies on multiple law enforcement agencies to keep its communities safe. The Franklin County Sheriff's Office works alongside municipal police departments in Union, Washington, and Sullivan. Each city department handles local law enforcement duties within its own jurisdiction while coordinating with the sheriff's office on broader regional concerns. These agencies share resources and collaborate on major crimes and public safety initiatives, creating coverage across the county.

Jail & Inmate Records

The Franklin County Jail is the primary detention facility For people arrested anywhere in Franklin County. Located in Union, the facility follows standard booking procedures that include photographing and fingerprinting each detainee. The public can access current inmate information through an online lookup tool maintained by the facility. Visitation at the jail requires appointments and adherence to a specific schedule, with detailed guidelines posted on Franklin County's official website.

Arrest Records

The Franklin County Sheriff's Office maintains arrest records for the entire county. Residents and legal representatives can request these records through formal applications, typically requiring identification and payment of a nominal fee. A typical arrest record in Franklin County includes personal details of the individual, the charges filed, and the arresting agency. Missouri's Sunshine Law governs public access to arrest information, for openness and accountability in how law enforcement handles and releases these records.

Court Records

The Union City Municipal Court has jurisdiction over traffic violations, misdemeanor offenses, and small claims cases. Residents can find court records and information about upcoming hearings on the court's website at http://www.unionmissouri.org/government/departments/municipal_court/index.php.

Criminal Records

The criminal records system in Franklin County covers a range of documents, including felony, misdemeanor, traffic violations, and the sex offender registry. The Franklin County Sheriff's Office and local police departments maintain these records, while the Missouri State Highway Patrol provides additional resources for background checks. Residents can request background checks through the Missouri Automated Criminal History Site (MACHS), which offers data for personal and professional purposes.

Public Records Access

The Union City Clerk's Office is the official repository for municipal documents throughout the city. This office maintains city council meeting minutes, ordinances, resolutions, and other official records. Residents and interested parties can access these documents by visiting the City Clerk's website at http://www.unionmissouri.org/government/departments/city_clerk/index.php or by contacting the office directly.

Vital Records

Vital records, such as birth, death, and marriage certificates for Union, Missouri, are managed by the Franklin County Recorder of Deeds. Individuals can request copies of these records by visiting the Recorder of Deeds' website at https://www.franklinmo.org/recorder-of-deeds or by contacting the office directly.

Business & Licensing Records

The Union City Clerk's Office handles the issuance of business licenses and permits for enterprises operating within city limits. Business owners can find detailed information about application procedures and requirements on the city's website at https://www.unionmissouri.gov/living_here/business/index.php. The city also maintains a business directory promotes local commerce.

Economy & Demographics

Union's economy is diverse, with a mix of manufacturing, retail, and service industries. The city's parks and recreation department oversees several community facilities, including the Union Aquatic Center and the Union Community Center, which contribute to the local quality of life. More information about the city's parks and recreation offerings can be found at https://www.unionmissouri.gov/living_here/parks_and_recreation/index.php.

Elections & Voter Records

Union, Missouri voters cast their ballots under the administration of the Franklin County Clerk's Office - Elections Division, located at 400 East Locust Street, Suite 102, Union, MO 63084 (phone: 636-583-6355, website: www.franklinmo.org/elections). The office oversees all federal, state, county, and municipal elections for residents throughout Franklin County. Missouri residents have several options for voter registration: online at www.sos.mo.gov/elections/govotemissouri, in person at the Franklin County Clerk's office, by mail, or when obtaining a driver's license.
Registration must be completed 27 days before any election, and voters must be U.S. Citizens, Missouri residents, and at least 17.5 years old, turning 18 by election day. Missouri law requires photo ID to vote in person—acceptable forms include a driver's license, non-driver ID, military ID, or passport. The city holds municipal elections on a staggered basis, with city council seats elected in April of odd-numbered years for three-year terms and the mayor elected every three years. The next municipal election in Union will be April 2025. For municipal election information, candidate filings, and local ballot measures specific to the city, residents can contact Union City Hall at 636-583-3350 or reach out to the Franklin County Clerk. Voters can find their assigned polling place using the Missouri Voter Outreach Tool at www.sos.mo.gov/elections/voterlookup by entering their name and date of birth. Under Missouri law, voter registration lists are public records available for inspection. Campaign finance reports for state and local candidates can be searched at www.mec.mo.gov, and certified election results by precinct are published by the Franklin County Clerk after each election. In the November 2024 presidential election, Franklin County reported approximately 58% voter turnout with over 58,000 ballots cast out of roughly 100,000 registered voters, reflecting the strong rural Republican preferences typical of the area. Looking ahead to November 3, 2026, voters throughout Franklin County will decide several significant races: Missouri does not have a U.S. Senate seat up in 2026, but if the governor's term cycle aligns, that race could appear; all Missouri state House seats will be on the ballot (Union is in District 139); Franklin County offices including County Clerk, Sheriff, Assessor, and others depending on term schedules; potential city offices if any municipal elections coincide; and ballot measures at state or local levels. Missouri offers absentee voting by mail for qualified reasons including age 65 or older, illness, absence from the jurisdiction on election day, incapacity, religious belief, or election authority employment. Voters can request absentee ballots through the Franklin County Clerk starting six weeks before an election, with applications available at www.franklinmo.org/elections. In-person absentee voting is available at the Franklin County Clerk's office starting two weeks before election day.

Public Records Transparency Score

Court Records: Yes: Online Statewide Portal (Missouri CaseNet provides free access to most civil and criminal cases) | Property: Yes: Free Online Assessor+Recorder (Franklin County provides free online access to both assessment data and recorded documents with full imaging) | Arrest Logs: Yes: Online Inmate Roster (Franklin County Sheriff maintains current jail roster online; historical records require request) | Vital Records: Limited: State Office Required (birth/death certificates must be ordered through state office in Jefferson City, though marriage records available at county) | Business: Yes: Free State Database (Missouri Secretary of State provides excellent free business entity and UCC search tools) | Elections: Yes: Online Registration & Results (full online voter registration, precinct results published, campaign finance searchable) | Overall: 8.5/10 — Franklin County and Missouri provide above-average public records accessibility with particularly strong online systems for court records, property records, and business searches, though vital records require state-level processing

Frequently Asked Questions

1 What are the school district and education performance data for Union, Franklin County, Missouri?
Public schools in Union, Franklin County, Missouri are administered by the local school district. For information about school enrollment, academic performance, and school ratings, residents should contact the Franklin County school administration or the Missouri Department of Education. School district boundaries, student-teacher ratios, and test scores are available through the National Center for Education Statistics at nces.ed.gov.
Crime data for Union, Franklin County, Missouri is maintained by local law enforcement agencies. The Franklin County Sheriff's Office and local police departments report crime statistics to the FBI's Uniform Crime Reporting Program. Residents can access crime data through the FBI Crime Data Explorer or by contacting local law enforcement directly. For specific crime reports or incident data, submit a public records request to the Union police department or the Franklin County Sheriff's Office.
The Union Public Library provides access to various public records resources including online databases, historical archives, and government document collections. Library patrons can access property records, court records, and genealogy resources through the library's reference section. The Franklin County library system may offer additional branches and digital resources. Contact the library directly for hours, available databases, and research assistance.
The Union Public Library serves residents of Union and the surrounding Franklin County area in Missouri. Contact the library directly or visit the Franklin County library system website for the current address, phone number, hours of operation, and available services.
Fingerprinting services for Union, Missouri residents are available through the local police department and authorized third-party providers in Franklin County. Fingerprinting is commonly required for background checks, professional licensing, employment screening, and immigration applications. Contact the Union Police Department or the Franklin County Sheriff's Office for scheduling, fees, and required documentation. The Missouri Department of Justice or state police may also process fingerprint-based background checks.
Vital records for Union, Franklin County, Missouri including birth certificates, death certificates, and marriage licenses are available through the Missouri Department of Health. Requests can be made online, by mail, or in person. Locally, the Franklin County Clerk's office may also process vital record requests. You will need valid photo identification and proof of eligibility. Processing times and fees vary by office and request method.
To register to vote in Union, Missouri, residents can register online through the Missouri Secretary of State's website, by mail, or in person at the Franklin County elections office. Missouri requires voters to be U. Citizens, at least 18 years old by Election Day, and residents of the state. The registration deadline is typically 30 days before an election. Voters can verify their registration status and find polling locations through the Missouri Secretary of State's voter lookup tool. For local municipal elections in Union, contact the Franklin County Clerk's office for schedules and ballot information.
Property records for Union, Missouri are maintained by the Franklin County Assessor's Office and the Franklin County Clerk and Recorder. The Assessor's Office is responsible for discovering, listing, and valuing all taxable property within Franklin County, including parcels in Union. Records available include property ownership, assessed values, legal descriptions, parcel maps, and tax history. The Franklin County Clerk and Recorder maintains recorded documents including deeds, mortgages, liens, and easements. Many Missouri counties provide online property record searches through their county websites. For in-person requests, visit the Franklin County offices at the county courthouse. The Franklin County Treasurer handles property tax payments and tax sale information.
Birth, death, and marriage records for Union, Missouri residents are available through both county and state offices. The Missouri Department of Health and Senior Services, Bureau of Vital Records, located in Jefferson City, maintains statewide vital records and can issue certified copies of birth and death certificates for events occurring anywhere in Missouri. Orders can be placed online, by mail, or in person. Locally, the Franklin County Clerk's office issues marriage licenses and maintains marriage records for Franklin County. Birth and death certificates may also be available through local vital records offices. Requestors typically need to provide valid photo identification and proof of their relationship to the person named on the record. Processing times and fees vary by office and record type.
Business licensing for Union, Missouri operates at municipal, county, and state levels. The Union town or city clerk's office handles local business permits, zoning approvals, and any municipal license requirements for businesses operating within Union limits. Franklin County may require additional registrations for businesses in unincorporated areas or county-level sales tax licensing. At the state level, all Missouri businesses must register with the Missouri Secretary of State and obtain applicable state tax identification numbers from the Missouri Department of Revenue. Professional licenses for regulated occupations are issued by the relevant Missouri licensing boards. For a complete list of requirements for starting a business in Union, contact the Union clerk's office and the Franklin County economic development office.